How to Splice a Lead Free Leader

I like margin fishing for carp and line concealment is really important, I use a combination of slack lines and a lead free leader to make sure there are no lines running through my swim especially at the business end of my carp rig.

How to Splice a Lead Free Leader for Carp Fishing (click below to watch)

There are a few companies who sell lead free leaders, fox seem to be the most popular with their Camo Submerge Leader. I had a lot of difficulty getting hold of the submerge leader, it was always sold out so I ended up buying the PB Products Silk Ray which is just a different companies lead free leader and to be honest, one lead free leader is pretty much the same as another.

When it comes to splicing a lead free leader I like the ESP Splicing Needles, they are quite thin and delicate for a splicing needle but they do the job really well and you do get 3 in a packet, which is useful if you happen to bend or break one.

To splice a lead free leader I go into the leader about 6 inches from the end, once you’re in turn the splicing needle round 180 degrees and push the splicing needle up through the centre of the lead free leader, you should be heading towards the end of the leader, the 180 rotation is because of the hook on the splicing needle. If you accidently come out of the wall of the lead free leader too early, just close the gate on the splicing needle, pull it out of the leader and start again, it takes a bit of practice to get it right. Continue pushing the splicing needle up through the centre of the lead free leader making sure to cover the whole of the splicing needle, the splice you make should be a nice long one so it won’t come undone.

Use the whole length of the splicing needle for a long and strong splice

Once you’ve gone the whole length of the splicing needle, push the needle out through the wall of the lead free leader, hook the very end of the leader, close the gate on the splicing needle and carefully draw it back through the centre of the lead free leader. Because you started 6 inches from the end you should have plenty of leader to be able to adjust the size of the loop you’ve just spliced. Draw the loop down and trim the excess with a pair of Braid Scissors, at this point your splice is complete.

Splice both ends to create a looped lead free leader

You can make a looped lead free leader any length you want, all you have to do is splice both ends of the leader. I find these lead free leaders quite useful for pinning my line down when margin fishing for carp and for pva bag fishing, you can make up your pva bags in advance and simply loop them onto your main line which is a great time saver when you’re on the bank fishing.
Tight Lines.
Mark.